The Delhi State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPD) has directed all District Magistrates across the national capital to ensure all hospitals under their jurisdiction to be made fully accessible for persons with disabilities (PwDs) under a mission mode.

The directive likely includes measures to enhance physical accessibility, such as ramps, elevators, and other facilities that facilitate the movement and comfort of PwDs. Additionally, it may involve training hospital staff to provide better assistance and support to individuals with diverse needs.

SCPD Ranjan Mukherjee directed the District Magistrates to submit an action taken report in the matter within 90 days from the issue of the order delivered on January 25th, 2024.

The direction came in response to a petition filed by Dr Satendra Singh, Coordinator, Enabling Unit, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi and Member, Advisory Board, SCPD who had pointed out that despite legal mandates under concerned legislation and central programme Accessible India Campaign, the hospitals of Delhi Government remain inaccessible.

The SCPD Mukherjee also took exception to the delay saying that despite several reminders in the past on various occasions, the authorities have failed to ensure such important institutions are friendly to the sector.

In his order, the SCPD further said, “All Directors/Medical Superintendents of all hospitals of GNCT of Delhi are directed that each and every department/lab/other rooms/drinking water/toilets etc. are made accessible for persons with disabilities and action taken report be submitted to this Court within 90 days from the issue of this order.

“Also, Engineer-in-Chief, Public Works Department (PWD) should direct all Executive Engineers of PWD that all out efforts be made with the concerned hospitals authorities to make each and every place of the hospitals accessible for persons with disabilities,” says the order.

In his PIL, Dr Singh who is also a vocal activist in the sector pointed out that even as the deadline to make all public places including hospitals accessible under the central flagship Accessible India Campaign by  15 June 2022 and despite the progressive legal mandate, the hospitals under Delhi Government remain inaccessible to PwDs including patients, faculty with disabilities, and staff with disabilities.

For instance, he pointed out at the Maulana Ajad Medical College (MAMC)  Hospital, the auditorium is not accessible, reserved parking not close to the entrance, and the library not being accessible. The BSA Hospital’s Physiology department and academic block do not have a lift despite this medical college being the newest one to be built.

Similarly, the GTB Hospital, of which the petitioner is the nodal officer, has written multiple times to the Public Works Department to share access audits but it hasn’t been done so. Moreover, the new hospital building at GTBH and other hospitals are under progress and they should follow the accessibility standard right from the beginning with the involvement of administrators or doctors with disabilities.

Singh further said that even though the Union Health Ministry has framed Accessibility Standards for Healthcare in 2022, the hospitals are slow to follow it in letter and spirit.

Responding to the order, Dr Singh said, the mission mode approach implies a targeted and time-bound strategy to expedite the process of making hospitals more accessible, emphasizing the urgency and importance of this initiative.